A Night of High Drama at Allianz Field
The U.S. Open Cup has always delivered its share of wild stories, but Minnesota United’s comeback against St. Louis City SC took drama to another level. On a cool night at Allianz Field, the home crowd watched the Loons erase a second-half deficit and snatch a 3-2 victory, booking their spot in the quarterfinals and leaving St. Louis City stunned.
After a rough spell for Kelvin Yeboah—eight matches without a goal—no one expected fireworks this early. But in the 10th minute, Yeboah met Julian Gressel’s sharp cross and capped it with a slick, no-look backheel, breathing early life into Minnesota’s attack. With that, Minnesota looked poised to take control, dictating possession and tempo through much of the first half. Yeboah’s celebration felt like a release—not only for him, but for fans eager to see the Loons hit their stride.
Still, St. Louis has made a name for themselves as comeback artists this season. Unlike Ramsey, who rotated seven players to keep his squad fresh, St. Louis manager Bradley Carnell stuck close to his usual starters. The decision almost worked, as his team started clicking after halftime. Marcel Hartel, never shy about taking chances, equalized after finding space and firing past Minnesota’s keeper for his first Open Cup goal. Momentum shifted fast. Just minutes later, João Klauss soared above the defense to nod in Timo Baumgartl’s whipped cross. Suddenly, the match belonged to St. Louis, and their fans were dreaming of a deep cup run.
Anthony Markanich’s Heroics Change the Story
Games like this turn on moments, and Anthony Markanich seized his when it mattered most. Down 2-1 as the clock neared ninety, Minnesota’s energy started to surge. Joaquín Pereyra’s footwork carved open St. Louis’s back line in the 85th minute, sliding the ball over for Markanich. He drilled home the equalizer, sending Allianz Field into a frenzy. That wasn’t enough for the wingback. With St. Louis reeling, another Pereyra assist set up Markanich in stoppage time. He stayed calm, finished low, and spun away as fans erupted—the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals were now reality for Minnesota United.
This win wasn’t just about late goals. It was the product of gutsy squad decisions by manager Eric Ramsey, who rested regulars and trusted rotation players to finish the job. For St. Louis, the result stings a bit more since it ended their undefeated cup run and featured milestones from their newest star. Hartel not only bagged his first Open Cup goal but also chipped in an assist on Klauss’s third of the season. That kind of output often wins matches, just not on this wild night.
Minnesota’s reward? Another chance to extend their cup dream, with a fresh sense of confidence and resilience. For St. Louis City, it means going back to the drawing board—painful, but hardly the end of the road in what’s shaping up to be one of the league’s most unpredictable seasons.
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